Field staff protection guideline and procedures
Posted by Dana Rider | Date June 2, 2020
Many of CEE’s departments and programs work directly with people to discover and deploy energy solutions. Our researchers recruit and monitor homes for projects on new technologies. Our engineers make recommendations for buildings to reduce their energy consumption through in-person evaluations. Our commercial and residential staff go into people’s businesses and homes to help them identify cost- and energy-saving opportunities.
CEE is a science-minded organization — in fact, “science” is one of our organizational values. As such, we looked to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) guidelines when determining how to best approach reentering the field while remaining mindful that the danger of COVID-19 infection is still real and present. All staff were required to complete a training on CEE’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in advance of returning to the field or office, and the majority of our office staff remain working from home indefinitely.
Below, you will find an overview of plans and procedures for each of our four key departments that work in people’s homes and businesses. All staff have been provided with a copy of the CDC’s guidelines and will perform a self-assessment symptom check prior to beginning work each day at the office or in the field.
Residential
Residential field staff work with people in their homes to identify cost- and energy-saving opportunities.
- Staff will wear masks at all times, wash or sanitize hands on a regular basis, and follow social distancing protocols whenever possible.
- For visits with two staff present, teams and team vehicles will remain consistent to keep the number of people regularly in close contact with each other to a minimum.
- Homeowners will be asked in advance about the possibility of following social distancing protocols in the homes and whether anyone in the home has been showing COVID-19 symptoms. They will also be requested to wear masks if possible.
Commercial
Commercial field staff work with business owners and managers to identify cost- and energy-saving opportunities.
- Staff will wear masks at all times, wash or sanitize hands on a regular basis, and follow social distancing protocols whenever possible.
- Customers will be asked in advance about the specifics of the visit — who will be giving staff building access, how many people will be on site, whether social distancing can be properly implemented, whether anyone on site has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is currently showing symptoms, et cetera.
- If staff do not feel safe given the circumstances of the location, they will reschedule for another time.
Research
Research field staff often work with project participants in their homes and businesses to evaluate new energy-saving technologies and approaches.
- Researchers will wear masks at all times, wash or sanitize hands on a regular basis, and follow social distancing protocols whenever possible.
- When they schedule a visit, researchers will ask the participants if anyone at the location has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for the virus. If they have, the visit will be postponed until a later date.
- If two or more researchers will be on site, they will drive in separate vehicles and confirm in advance that the participants are comfortable having two staff present.
- If researchers do not feel safe given the circumstances of the location, they will reschedule for another time.
Engineering
Engineers work with building owners and operators to evaluate their facility’s energy use.
- Engineers often work alone or only with each other at a field site, and thus their precautions will focus primarily on social distancing and washing or sanitizing their hands on a regular basis.
- At the engineer’s discretion, they may also wear a mask for additional protection.
- Engineers will follow also individual job site safety protocols.
As of June 1, CEE residential staff will be back in the field, inside people’s homes to deliver Home Energy Squad visits. Virtual visits are still available — in fact, having a virtual visit in advance of an in-person visit can help Home Energy Squad staff understand your home more thoroughly and finish their inspection in less time. For more information or to schedule a visit, call 651-328-6220, email hesscheduling@mncee.org, or visit www.mncee.org/hes.
Related Links
Home Energy Squad
CDC: COVID-19 Guidelines